Fellow dog lovers, I am here to brighten up your Thursday! This week, I was introduced to the amazingness that is the “Thoughts of Dog” Twitter and Instagram.

I started following this account on Instagram a few days ago and it has made me laugh out loud. It started as a Twitter account and they’re now posting some of their Twitter content to IG. I had to go over to Twitter to take some screen grabs to share with you.

You’re welcome! 🙂

Now for a quick peek into what the last week or so has looked like over here, including lots of dog talk.

RUN, RUN

I have been running a lot. Fall is hands-down my favorite running season and running is also my go-to method for dealing with all things stress related. Zoey has been joining me for almost all of my runs. We ran 5 last Friday.

I ran 6 solo on Monday and it was an unintentionally fast run with an 8:14 average pace. It’s crazy to me how sometimes a certain pace can feel SO hard and other times SO effortless. Also, a little running hack if you need a change of scenery…I dropped Finn off at preschool and then parked at Whole Foods and ran from there. I did my grocery shopping after.

Yesterday we did four trail miles.

I’m still undecided on the Charlotte Half Marathon but I’m all about running right now regardless.

MOUNTAIN WEEKEND

I traveled to Kingsport, Tennessee last weekend for weekend #3 of our yoga teacher training at VIDA Hot Yoga. It was the most gorgeous day on Friday so I stopped at a scenic overlook and hiked to the top of an 800 foot trail to take in these views. I was hoping to see more fall color but it was so warm this year that the weather forecasters have said that peak is going to be a little later. Regardless, these views are always gorgeous.

The weekend was a whirlwind of teaching and before I knew it, I was back on the road to Charlotte.

For those of you wanting more yoga talk, here’s what we covered last weekend!

• Introduction to Yoga Nidra. Yoga Nidra was our meditation practice for the weekend. Each weekend has a different meditation theme so that trainees are introduced to different styles of meditation and meditation practices.
• Types of cues, cueing layers and how to cue.
• Practice teaching the beginning of class + sun a and sun b “with flair” to the whole group. Each trainee taught all of their peers for about 10 minutes! They did great!
• Warm up sequencing beyond Sun A and Sun B. Warming up hips and hamstrings, sequencing progressions, strength building, etc.
• Discussion on Asteya and Brahmacharya chapters from The Yamas and The Niyamas.
• Two power yoga practices, one led Ashtanga practice.
• Lecture on the power of touch, ethics of touch, fundamentals and key principles of assisting. (We will start hands-on assists next time we meet.)
• Breaking down some floor postures like pigeon variations, seated forward fold, janushirasana and more.

I took the windy, scenic route back to Charlotte on Sunday afternoon and got to take in more beautiful mountain views!

HOT SPOT

When I travel for work and to see my family, I have a dog sitter who watches Zoey. A friend of mine (who also helps me with cleaning and Finn) and/or her boyfriend stay with Zoey while I’m gone. I jokingly refer to them as her god parents because they are so good with her. I get so many photos of her getting snuggles, going on walks and playing with her ball.

I have always preferred to have a dog sitter stay at the house rather than send my dogs to be boarded (just what works best for us!). I am so grateful that Zoey has consistent care from people who love her when I’m gone, and she gets to stay in her own home environment.

That being said, she always needs some extra love and attention when I get home. She snuck up on the couch with me on Monday night. While I was patting her, I noticed a very small sore under her fur on her head. By the next day it had grown quite a bit so I knew a visit to the vet was in order.

She had a hot spot! BOO! I have no clue how she got one on her head…that’s a first for us. Zoey has had a couple before (and so did Sullie at times) but usually they’re places like their back/hips/legs where they can chew/scratch. You can read more about hot spots here but they’re more common in dogs with thicker coats. You have to act ASAP when you notice one because they can spread crazy fast. Hot spots are treated by shaving the area around the hot spot so that there’s no hair matted into the sore and it can dry out and heal. I also have a topical antibiotic to put on it 2x/day.

So Zoey has an unfortunate hair cut but she seems to be her normal happy self otherwise and we are on the mend. Did not think I’d be back at the vet so soon!

A BOY AND HIS DOG

I can’t even with these two. This was on the way home from the vet.

The first thing Finn wants when he wakes up is Zoey. He immediately starts looking for her and saying her name.

Love them so much. <3

QUESTIONS

Please share any favorite fun/make you laugh Instagram accounts that. you like to follow! 

What workout have you been feeling the most lately? 

Has your dog ever had a hot spot?